2016 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L Petrol · PL16 LMJ

A pattern of chronic rear brake wear defines this 2016 Volkswagen Golf. Across the recorded tests, rear brake discs have been flagged for pitting or scoring in 2023 and 2024, culminating in a 2025 test that recorded the rear brake discs as significantly and obviously worn on both sides and the rear brake pads as less than 1.5 mm thick, the latter classified as Dangerous. That 2025 test was failed on those grounds, though a re-test the same day returned a pass with the disc wear now reclassified as an advisory. The most recent test on 30 April 2026 passed without major or dangerous items, but the overall trend is one of a braking system that has repeatedly approached or reached its wear limits at the rear axle over multiple years. Separately, the latest pass also records an offside front tyre cut and a non-excessive engine oil leak, both as advisories, which are new entries rather than longstanding items. Annual mileage for this ten year old vehicle averages around 5,700 miles per year, which is low for the age of the car and consistent with either light running or extended periods of inactivity. Testing has been reasonably consistent, with annual MOTs recorded from 2020 through 2026 with no multi-year gaps that would suggest a long lay-up, so the mileage figure likely reflects light regular use rather than sustained storage. Such low mileage is generally associated with reduced wear on high-mileage consumables like the clutch, drivetrain and certain engine internals, but it can also bring issues associated with short journeys and infrequent use, such as moisture accumulation in the engine oil and potential underbon corrosion, though no such items are recorded in the test history. The mechanical implications here are therefore mixed: the brakes show wear that is more typical of a higher mileage vehicle, which is worth probing directly. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection and test drive firmly on the rear braking system. The repeat advisories for pitted and scored rear discs indicate that heat cycling and surface corrosion have been attacking the rotors over time, and a live check should confirm the discs are within minimum thickness, are not lipped, and are free of deep ridges or hot spots. On the road, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive rather than spongy, and any judder through the pedal or steering wheel under braking would suggest the discs are warped beyond usable limits. The rear pads should be physically inspected for material remaining against the backing plate, and the caliper slide pins and carriers checked for seizing, as sticking rear calipers are a known source of uneven pad wear on this generation of Golf. The front inner brake disc wear advisory from 2025 should also be factored in, as it suggests the front discs are following a similar trajectory to the rears. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, and feel for vague steering or tracking pull, particularly under braking, which can indicate binding calipers or uneven pad transfer. The recorded engine oil leak, described as not excessive, warrants a visual inspection of the sump, cam chain cover and turbo oil feed area, as oil leaks on the 1.4 TSI engine fitted to many Mk7 Golfs frequently originate from these points and can worsen over time. The offside front tyre cut flagged in April 2026 should be closely examined to confirm it has not deepened to expose ply or cord, and the tread depth measured across the full width of all four tyres, given the recurring advisories for rear tyres wearing close to the legal limit between 2020 and 2023.